Real D's quest to install 1,000 3-D screens by the end of next year got one step closer Wednesday. The 3-D technology provider said Carmike Cinema has committed to install 500 Real D screens, with 200 screens to be deployed by March, in time for Buena Vista Pictures' Meet the Robinsons.

Atlanta-based Carmike's agreement brings Real D's committed screen count to 850 worldwide. The company received a significant bump after Buena Vista's 3-D reissue of Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas caught fire with audiences in October, grossing more than $8 million in 168 theaters.

"I'm thrilled by this, and I'm hopeful that this is just the beginning of some expansion of the Real D locations," Buena Vista distribution president Chuck Viane said. "On a financial basis, it's really going to help us on 'Meet the Robinsons, ' which I hope will be further expanded in October when we reissue 'Nightmare Before Christmas.' The dawning of the 3-D world is just about to happen."

Robert Zemeckis is continuing his love affair with 3-D technology. The director-producer will see his upcoming film, the digitally enhanced live-action Beowulf from Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures, screen day-and-date in Real D and other large-format 3-D theaters.

Set to bow nationwide Nov. 16, 2007, Beowulf is expected to be in more than 1,000 Real D theaters, as well as other 3-D locations, in what should be the largest day-and-date large-format 3-D release ever. It's likely that Imax would be the other large-format theater, though no deal has been signed, according to sources close to the film.

Based on a screenplay by Neil Gaiman and Roger Avary and inspired by the ninth century Old English epic poem, Beowulf stars Angelina Jolie, Ray Winstone, Crispin Glover and Anthony Hopkins.

Beowulf will be the third Zemeckis film to bow in 3-D. The director's 2004 holiday film The Polar Express from Warner Bros. played in Imax 3-D to a combined total domestic gross of close to $46 million, while this year's Monster House from Sony Pictures earned more than $10 million on 178 Real D screens.

"Bob Zemeckis instinctively presents his films in a very dynamic way that suits itself perfectly for the 3-D experience, and 'Beowulf' is no exception -- the film is an ideal match for the Real D system and other large-format 3-D presentations," said Steve Starkey, Zemeckis' producing partner on the film. "When we presented 'Express' in 3-D, we looked for a way to differentiate the cinema experience, and with 'Beowulf,' Real D is allowing us to expand on that idea."

Angelina Jolie has won her dream role - as author Ayn Rand's iconic heroine Dagney Taggart. Jolie, a longtime fan of Russian-born Rand, has been quietly campaigning to play Taggart in new film Atlas Shrugged - and now she's landed the role, according to trade newspaper Daily Variety. The movie adaptation of Rand's epic tome has been kicking around Hollywood for many years, and, at one point, was set to star Faye Dunaway. The project sets up a busy 12 months for Jolie, whose next movie will be another epic adaptation, Beowulf. She'll also be seen alongside Matt Damon in The Good Shepherd and she'll also star in the adaptation of Mariane Pearl's book about the kidnap and murder of her husband, journalist Daniel Pearl.
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Maxim and Fmh have their top 100s, but here at Ioncinema.com we have more discriminating tastes. This year we’ve upped the list, from 2004’s 10 picks (view here) to a total of 20. Yes that’s right - 20 silver screen vixens that’ve left quite the impression on celluloid and this filmgoer. These señoritas have a je-ne-sais-quoi quality that mixes both acting skills with on-screen vigor. Enjoy this year’s selection!
***
20. Cassandra Magrath
She went toe to toe with a maniac from the outback in the surprisingly good
horror flick Wolf Creek.
What’s next? Nothing confirmed – but most likely a couple
of Aussie productions.
19. Emily Mortimer
She played the cute hopeless mother in Dear
Frankie, voiced the English translation of Howl’s
Moving Castle and played the scorned wife in Match
Point.
What’s next? The Pink Panther,
Chaos Theory, Who
Killed Norma Barnes?, Barry Munday
and Snow Angels.
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